DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 3,773 MY 1996 THROUGH 2002 THOMAS BUILT MVP ER SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 8, 1995 THROUGH FEBRUARY 16, 2001, EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116 AND 3126 ENGINES. UN-FUSED POWER CABLES WERE TIE-WRAPPED TO A WIRE BRAID ENGINE FUEL RETURN HOSE. OVER TIME THESE CABLES MAY CHAFE, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE LOOM AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE CABLE INSULATION AND FUEL LINE COVERING IN AN AREA NOT EASILY DETECTABLE DURING NORMAL MAINTENANCE WITHOUT REMOVING THE TIE WRAPS AND OPENING THE WIRE LOOM. UN-FUSED AND UN-SWITCHED POWER CABLES WHICH WEAR THROUGH AND CONTACT THE FUEL LINE WIRE BRAID MAY SHORT CIRCUIT.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CABLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
33,303
Reported to NHTSA
2007-11-29
Owners notified
2008-03-28
Defect description
CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2008 THOMAS BUILT FS-56, ER, MVP ER, HDX, AND MVP EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 23, 2000, THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH TYCO PC BOARD AND TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKERS. TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKER TEMPERATURES MAY EXCEED THE RATING OF THE TYCO PC BOARD CAUSING THE BOARDS TO MELT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Safety risk
A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY REPLACING THE TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS, AND THE JUMPER CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.
CERTAIN MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 THOMAS BUILT HDX AND MVP-ER SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 23, 2000, AND NOVEMBER 14, 2003. THE SERVICE AIR BRAKE PEDAL, FOR BOTH NON-ADJUSTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS, MAY CONTACT THE FRONT STRUCTURE ON THE BUS, LIMITING THE MAXIMUM BRAKE FORCE AVAILABLE.
Safety risk
INSUFFICIENT AIR BRAKE PRESSURE MAY CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.
CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
Safety risk
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
CERTAIN 2001-2004 MY THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF, ER TRANSIT, MVP-ER, HD, AND HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 24, 2000, AND MARCH 4, 2004. THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN COMPLETE SEPARATION.
Safety risk
TIE ROD FAILURE CAN POSSIBLY RESULT IN COMPLETE WHEEL SEPARATION AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT (WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER).
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY. THE SEAT BELT SUPPLIER, AMSAFE, WILL PROVIDE A SNAP ON "OVER-COVER" TO OWNERS TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT COVER FROM SEPARATING.
Safety risk
IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-841-5924 OR AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, THE WHEEL LUG NUT MAY NOT TIGHTEN COMPLETELY.
Safety risk
THE WHEEL COULD LOOSEN INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW WHEEL STUDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, MISALIGNMENT OF THE FAN DRIVE SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE BELT AND PULLEY BEARING WEAR.
Safety risk
IF THE SCHOOL BUS IS DISABLED BY A COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE AND IS STALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY TO A SCHOOL BUS OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN BELT, IDLER PULLEY, AND BELT TENSIONER AND THE PULLEY'S LASER WILL BE ALIGNED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, FIRE TRUCKS, AND TRANSIT BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES. THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.
Safety risk
IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE PEDALS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SYNTEC SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SOME SEATS (1) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FOUR INCH CLEARANCE DURING THE TEST PROCEDURE, WHILE STILL MEETING THE POST TEST CONDITION; (2) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FRONTAL PRE-LOAD WHEN TESTING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; OR (3) WHILE STILL MEETING THE REQUIRED FORCE/DEFECTION, EXPERIENCE WELD BREAKAGE.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME AND THE SEAT BACK CUSHION ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
Service brakes, air: supply: low pressure warning: switch
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
153
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-27
Owners notified
2001-07-27
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY DUE TO THE LOW AIR WARNING SYSTEM DETECTING PRESSURE IN ONLY ONE RESERVOIR SYSTEM AND NOT BOTH AS REQUIRED.
Safety risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE LOW AIR PRESSURE SWITCH WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 2001. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-881-7219.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.